“It was a harmonica I found on a floor in high school that launched my passion for music." In college, the era of the hootenanny, Todd picked up a guitar in an effort to emulate the Kingston Trio and Joan Baez. Upon graduating Sewanee University with a BS in Physics, Todd started the first coffee house in Wilmington on the site of where now stands the DuPont Building on Orange Street. “Four of us collaborated in creating The Attic which featured singers and hootenannies Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Working full-time and juggling the bookings and performing at the coffee house, which was now in his sole hands, Todd eventually relinquished it but only after bringing many notable folk singers of the time. He pursued his musical interested by writing and composing music which he performed at the likes of such venues as the Second Fret in Philadelphia. During this time he expanded his musical repertoire to include skills on the flute and the banjo while continuing playing his harmonica and guitar. Most recently he has taken up the mandolin. He and his wife, Debor, have 2 children: Tanya, mother to his grandson, Gavin, and son, Shawnee. His hobbies have run the gambit from photography and fine art to parachuting and rugby. He holds a pilot’s license.

The 12-string guitarist has been playing over 40 years and claims that every gig the Peas have performed is his favorite. “I love making music with good friends,” he said while clutching his big Gibson, “a big man needs to play a big instrument.”He took up the guitar while a student at Kent State University. Both he and his guitar have been down many roads: as director of drama for Lyndon State College in Vermont; radio personality and program director for a Philly station; acting in community theatre troupes in the area; founder and president emeritus of Teleduction, and you’ll find him on the BIG SCREEN in The Perfect Storm. But his love is music. “The Kingston Trio, Seegar, Bob Gibson and even Patti Page influenced me early on in my musical journey. I really, really consider my favorite, Bob Gibson,” Franks explains, “he’s a great instrumentalist as well as vocalist.He and his wife, Sharon, have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. When not writing and performing music including his own songs: The Bottom Has Fallen Out of Everything But You or Run to the Roundhouse, Nellie, the Brakeman Can’t Corner You There, Frank pitches horseshoes, fishes saltwater sportfish and he’s pretty deft at pole dancing.

“My stubbornness launched my fiddling,” Rebecca Dunne explains as to how she became interested in this instrument. “My Mother insisted I have piano lessons when I was six years old. I didn’t like it so I didn’t practice. Mom agreed that I could quit after about a year. I became intrigued with the violin the following year and pleaded with my Mother for lessons. She reminded me of my failure to practice so she said no. Of course, I had to show her.” Three years ago, Rebecca started playing the mandolin which makes her a two instrument contributor to the Whirled Peas. “About three years ago my friend, Erica, told me about the group. I came, I saw and I became one,” she said. “You know, our gig at Lewes last summer sort of personifies what we as a group like – good show, great audience and a grand time with friend.” One of Rebecca’s favorite group is the Cherryholmes but “ask me what my favorite group is next week – it’s always changing.” A Northwestern University graduate with a music major (horn performance), Rebecca was awarded a Fulbright grant for study in Germany. She responds to oil spills which impact wildlife. Besides some family on the West Coast, she has her family here in Delaware: two cats. When she’s not reading or knitting, Rebecca enjoys hiking.

“John Gallagher introduced me to the Peas seven years ago. They perform the type of music I love – folk. Folk music tells such wonderful tales,” said Gary Estes “I was very much influenced by the Chad Mitchell Trio, The Kingston Trio and of course, Peter, Paul and Mary. But, I also have a keen interest in maritime and Celtic music.” According to his fellow Peas, “Gary keeps us grounded to the traditional.” A retired DuPont chemical engineer, whose job relocated him innumerable times including Ireland, Gary always managed to find a venue where his beloved folk music was being performed. He plays a 6-string guitar as well as the banjo. His guitar of choice is a Martin. The love of this instrument is so encompassing that on his honeymoon in January 2002, he scheduled a visit to the Martin factory. “I thoroughly enjoy playing our weekly gig not only for the music but for the love of the audience.” Gary is married to Jane and enjoys history, “specifically the Civil War.”

"I found I was not alone when I went up the creek,” Jack Scott claimed as he explained how he became a Whirled Pea. “Actually in 2001 Marilyn Koons, a friend of Frank Baker’s brother, suggested I catch a group that played regularly at Up the Creek in Wilmington. I told her that no one plays my kind of music any more. “I went and I was wrong and I have never stopped going. I found my ‘musical brothers and sisters’ Up the Creek.” Jack plays both the guitar and banjo and depending upon the song and circumstance dictates which one he’ll pick up. His skills on the banjo have garnered him the moniker, “Banjo Boy.” His musical journey started in 1962 and he has been influenced by a myriad of musicians: from The Kingston Trio to Johnny Horton; from Bob Dylan to Doc Watson; from Bobby Darin to Bela Fleck, and “of course, Fritz Horisk.” Besides playing a mean banjo, Jack is a prolific songwriter – 180 at last count. “It’s extraordinary playing with the Peas because every musician brings some unique skill and I find I continue to learn and improve my chops with each and every gig.” Jack is a banjo instructor and struggling songwriter. Married with two daughters, Jack also holds title to one grand-dog.

For forty years, John has been performing, either playing his guitar and/or singing folk music. He teamed up with his wife, June, to perform in a group called Pleasant Street. This very popular folk trio headlined at various restaurants, clubs, fair and colleges in the surrounding four state areas. Upon the break-up of the group, John and June returned to their Irish roots and began their Celtic musical journey. As such artists, they were selected to open for some pretty prestigious acts: Tom Paxton, Steve Gillette, Bob Gibson, Garnet Rogers, Bill Staines, David Mallett, Andy M. Stewart, John Flynn and Iain Matthews to name a few. “June and I founded Wilmington’s Folk Survivors organization,” John explains Additionally, John has a sound engineering company that has provided services to many nationally known folk musicians. “This expertise has proved invaluable when Peter VonGlahn cannot set up the sound for the Peas,” Todd Breck interjected.

“Frank Baker introduced me to the POD, and I’m happy to say that ever since then I have become GREEN,” laughs Dave Kelly, the Whirled Peas bass and guitar player. Dave became an official member playing for years at the former venue Up the Creek. An Army buddy coerced Dave into buying a guitar. He played that instrument during his 2 year stint in an Army bunk. Dave Kelly..happy to hop into the POD His musical range is perhaps the most eclectic of all the Peas…just to mention a few R&R, folk, doo wop, classical, jazz, pop…as Dave says, “from Ringo to Django.” “Our recent gig at Lewes was memorable,” Dave explains. “What more could one want than a good audience and good accommodations at the ‘tres exclusive’ Baker enclave.” A scientist, who was schooled by nuns, priests, the US Army, Widener and DuPont, Dave has a large Kelly family – one son, Bonnie Frawley and Family. In his free time his hobbies are as eclectic as his music – traveling from the slopes to the beach.

“A poster in Francine’s window caught my attention,” John Frink explains, “it said Free Beer and Friends. Well, I haven’t seen the free beer but I sure made the friends by ‘hooking’ up with Free Beer and Friends, now known as the Whirled Peas” An alum of Penn State, with a BS in Math, John started playing the guitar when it was presented him on his 10th birthday. He has since expanded his musical expertise by mastering the 6-string, steel-string and acoustic guitar. “I have been influenced by a wide range of musicians – finger pickers like Wayne Henderson; country/western, Merle Travis; bluegrass, Norman Blake; folk, the Kingston Trio and Joan Baez and for blues, Etta Blake and Big Bill Broonzy and so many more,” John says of his appreciation for a variety of music. He has composed songs, among them are Gatherin’ Eggs, Sidney’s Rag and Newton’s Rag. Retired and married to Erica Miller, John enjoys, what else – playing and singing – but he cycles and bird watches among other hobbies. If you want John to sin your favorite tune, here’s a tip – buy him a good pizza to go along with his dark beer.

Along time Pea, Charlie McCloskey found himself a part of the group as far back as when Todd Breck and Frank Baker played at Francine’s under the duo’s name Free Beer and Friends. “Excellence finds its own,” Charlie chuckled. He is the Peas sole kazoo player “but I think the group would prefer if I leave my kazoo home.” In the midsixies, Charlie took up the guitar. “Back then, playing the guitar was a sign of being a rebel. Girls like outlaws and I liked girls. I’ve been playing ever since.” Every gig holds a special place for Charlie but the one that stands out the most was the gig in Delaware City. “The mosquitoes were outrageous. They blanketed our bodies but then again, I have a thing for mosquitoes.” His taste in music is far-flung. “My favorite musician is Mozart followed very closely by Randy Newman. Acting is his vocation; playing the guitar is avocation. Charlie lives with love of his life, his wife, Cathy.

If you have ever set up a stereo system, you know that there can be a level of frustration in plugging in the wires - what goes to the in receptacle; to the out and so on. Hooking up a group of musicians to a sound system is a bit trickier. Making sense out of the “spaghetti” wires is Peter vonGlahm. Peter makes sense out of the wires – but no Peter in photo – he’s busy twirling“ I started out as an audience member,” Peter explains, “my wife, Clara, and I enjoyed the music. And, before you know it, I was plugging in AMPS and switching dials to make the sound of the Peas even better.” Peter is owner and founder of Brandywine Renovation Services, Inc. which was established in 1996. Housed in Wilmington, the firm is involved in commercial and industrial building construction. Peter and his wife, Clara Zahradnek, live in Cool Springs. And, in 2008, they garnered 1st place in the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s City Garden contest – category vegetable garden.